‘Tiger’ Mushtaq Abdul Razzaq Memon

Better known as Tiger Memon, the CBI calls him to be the key conspirator in the March 12, 1993 blasts in Mumbai.

Dawood Ibrahim and his close associates like Abu Salem were important links in the Mumbai blasts but it was Tiger who was the man in charge of the terrorism.

The recovered explosives, which proved crucial to cracking the Mumbai blast case, were made from Tiger’s home. More damning evidence came from Yakub Memon, Tiger Memon’s younger brother, who along with his family chose to return to India after spending three months in Pakistan.

In 1995, he is known to have met Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front leader Hilal Baig to discuss collaboration in terrorist operations in India. The JKIF subsequently carried out a series of explosions in New Delhi, although it is unclear if Tiger Memon had anything to do with these. The CBI says Memon fled India immediately before the serial blasts went off.

He is also wanted in connection with extortion, kidnapping, terrorism and smuggling cases.

The Mumbai police reportedly found cars and two-wheelers stuffed with explosives in the godowns of Tiger’s house at Mahim in north-central Mumbai.

Yakub Memon is in custody of the Mumbai police. Tiger’s wife and mother, who are among the accused in the Mumbai blasts case, are out on bail. His father Abdul Razzak, also one of the accused, died a few years ago.